Fighting the winter blahs

Yes, on a chilly winter day it can feel really good to curl up with a good book or binge on that favorite TV series. While such activities are enjoyable, they may leave you feeling worse if not balanced with other, more active parts of your life.

The "winter blahs," or "winter blues," are feelings of being depressed about the shorter days, colder weather, gray skies and fewer opportunities to be outdoors for fresh air and exercise. In most parts of the country winter means we have to make a real effort to go outside.

And so we reach for that book or that TV clicker once again. Tempting, yes, b...